it reminded me several weeks ago we had national empty chair day. it looked like national empty podium day there yesterday for him. rather unfortunate. i think he's not going to take it for granted the next time. >> brian: what i saw interesting, for example, when you hear the president talk about tax breaks fort oil companies and for the rich and the corporate jet owners, as if they're the problem, i thought it was very interesting and a calculated way, mitt romney was able to spell out why they are not the problem and take the corporate oil -- excuse me, take the oil company tax breaks, put it in perspective and compare it to the green energy. a lot of people who do this for a living and hoping not to be vilified, which they were for the last 3 1/2 years, must have felt pretty good. >> yeah. romney was incredibly effective. he looked competent. he sounded confident. he was engaged. he was everything that barak obama was not. i think it was a reminder to people of just how disengaged this president has been in times of crisis. and i think the other